Sherry Rehman appointed Pakistan's Ambassador to the US

Sherry Rehman, Pakistan's new ambassador to the US, smiles after talking to media representatives in Islamabad on November 23, 2011. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and MNA Sherry Rehman has been appointed Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Express 24/7 reported.

The appointment comes after Husain Haqqani was asked to resign by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in the wake of the Memogate scandal. Gilani has approved the appointment.

“The prime minister is pleased to appoint Sherry Rehman as the new ambassador to the United States,” said spokesman for the Prime Minister’s office, Akram Shaheedi, Reuters reported.

Media reports circulating late Tuesday night had suggested that Iffat Imran Gardezi would be the temporary replacement for Haqqani. Gardezi is the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington and assists the ambassador in the overall functioning of the Embassy.

Rehman, a former journalist, was information minister for Zardari after the restoration of civilian rule following a 2008 election.

But she resigned in March 2009 over a crisis in which the government was refusing to reinstate judges sacked under the military regime of President Pervez Musharraf.

Her appointment was a surprise, with many analysts and media pundits expecting someone seen as closer to the military.

Rehman has been a strong advocate of women’s and minority rights and faced death threats for her calls to reform the country’s harsh blasphemy laws.

But she is also the author, through her role as president of the Jinnah Institute, of a report on Pakistan’s foreign policy goals in Afghanistan, staking out views widely seen in Pakistan as dovetailing with those of the powerful military establishment.

Rehman had recently assumed the charge of Chairperson Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), for a period of three years. She was appointed by Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the society’s president.

Suraya Jatoi to occupy Rehman’s vacated NA seat

PPP woman wing activist Suraya Jatoi will be elected MNA on the reserved seat vacated by Sherry Rehman.

Rehman left her MNA seat when she was appointed as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States following the resignation of Husain Haqqani.

Sources in the provincial election commission said that Suraya Jatoi, who belongs to Sukkur district, is eighth on the candidature list provided by PPP for its women MNAs candidate (reserved seats) during the 2008 election. MNA Mahreen Bhutto was number seven on the same list.

Shazia Marri, minister for power comes after her. Since Marri is a sitting MPA, therefore prefers to retain her present position allowing Suraya Jatoi to take up the MNA seat.

Sources in the election commission said that they have not issued notification as yet, however it is likely to be issued within the next 24 hours.

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Do you approve or disapprove of Sherry Rehman's appointment as Ambassador to the US?

Given that she is one of Pakistan’s best legislators I would have preferred that she remain here rather than getting caught up in the mess of US-Pakistani relations. Still, lets hope something comes of it.

PPP is actually facing problems with in the party. many major politicians of PPP have left it and there is chances that many may go. mrs rehman was also totally out of scene after she left the information and broadcasting ministry seat. now, PPP wants her to give some output to party. i dont think that it is a good choice to appoint her, because it is more probable that she will forget the country interests and start compaigning for her party PPP like haqani did.

Sherry Rehman will no doubt make a distinguished, eloquent, proactive and enterprising ambassador. Although I can’t help but suspect that this is also a way to distance her from the domestic political storm that is brewing within the PPP. I agree with IZ, she could serve the country much better (read: help counter Zardari’s hegemony within the PPP). And Maliha Lodhi served with such distinction in her position as ambassador to the US that she would have made a fitting replacement for Haqqani.

Good luck to Sherry Rehman. She inherits a global portfolio of issues, chief amongst which also includes improving ties with India through their ambassador Nirupama Rao.

strong textGood choice by the President. Only shows that the President is capable of making the right decision under pressure. Shaheed BiBi would have approved it. Congratulations to Sherry. She will do a good job after Hussain Haqqani.

President, Mr. Asif Zardari has taken the right decision. If he is coming to terms with the old guard of the PPP, then kudos for him. If not, then hopefully better sense will start to prevail and he will rid the government of wayward and banal politicians. Salams

this looks like a method to tone down Haqqani’s forced removal. Sherry’s appointment looks like a quid pro quo between Kiyani and presidency but favoring the GHQ. Sherry’s latest activities at her institute were close to GHQ’s perspective

The PPP has chosen to reward a lady who stabbed the party in the back in March 2009 thinking that the system will be wrapped up and then earlier this year promoted a report through her think tank, Jinnah Institute, the viewpoint of the “Foreign Policy Elite” of the country which was nothing but reprinting of the strategic depth policy of our military establishment.

It was face saving by PPP in my opinion. Instead of appointing a General, they have appointed someone who at least belongs to them physically but is close to the heart the military.

Leave diplomacy to diplomats, thats all I’d say!
Our rulers have a reputation of destroying the civil services. First, Ayub Khan who fired 60 officials, then Yahya Khan who fired 313, then Bhutto who destroyed 1400 civil servants and Musharraf with his devolution plan of 2001.
And this? This is a slap in the face of Civil Services Of Pakistan-

@Habibullah: As if Sherry Rehman has to cook and clean! But seriously, are you even employed or do you live on khairat? You do not even have the basic self-confidence that allows one to be polite to others. Women are definitely a threat to weak men like you.

Reading the comments it is unfortunate that what a immature and childish way of thinking we have. All the comments are based on her as a personality. Nobody is analyzing or even thinking that what has she been selected for. In my opinion she may be be good and competent person but I do not think that her EXPERIENCE and QUALIFICATION fits in with the job,especially keeping in mind the country being USA with which our relationship has always been fragile and the peak level being in the recent times.

In my opinion, as any person who is totally new would take a while to settle and be dependent on others (very important factor in a place like USA) therefore, ideally the new ambassador should have been a diplomat or if somebody else thn a person who had a taste of such works or is atleast acquainted with the environment.

President zardari is the best thing in a paradoxical way that happened to pakistan.A country torn to shreds by various strife,he has kept his cool and steared the trouble country through five years with ISI and Army.
Sherry is his masterstroke!Recommend

Great news for the girls of Pakistan . Good incentive ,,inspiring and motivation for the girls in education. We should bring more women in the forefront of state and private organizations,, where and when they deserve , Good for Islamic Republic of Pakistan for its international image.Why not women when and where men are failing .It is fair

Sherry Rehman is a woman, a champion of minority and women rights. I hope she can also champion Pakistan’s cause as opposed to PPP ones that her supporters would expect. Her interest should be the interest of Pakistan alone and not of any particular group or factions. She has a huge task and it is hoped she will be greatly successful. We can wish her the very best in her new appointment, a challenge that will require all her skills and charm.

I thought Sherry resigned from her ministerial job in principle ! by rejoining the Government, she proves me wrong. By the way, does the Pakistani ambassador has any role in America? The American Ambassador can convey the orders to the Pakistani Government.

This appointment shows the bad vision of PPP leadership to nominate a such person who was not even able to run the local ministry of Pakistan in proper way..bad choice for such important place.. Mr.Salman Bashir was right choice… But who can guide Zardari. who always say democracy is best to revenge from Establishment. Pray Allah keep safe Pakistan.

Perhaps the best decision taken by PM Gillani. It also shows that the present government has some spine to take its own decisions. All the best to Sherry. I hope she would be successful to improve the dis balance in Pak-US relations.

Shery Rehman is indeed a women of substance and caliber best suited to clean up the mess left behind by a man of….hope and pray she deliver…and good to see the govt taking a sensable decision…good luck Shery..:)

this Iron Lady of Pakistan is the best choice. Pakistani women have come a long way. She is an intellectual, an investigative journalist and a woman of priciple. Her work in Herald recieved accolades, moreso her think tank bought better policy material than the ones meaded by Shireen Mazari and the JI senator. Her work in Lady Dufeerin also worhts mention. She will surely be a good ambassador, journalist like Maleeha Lodhi have proven thier mettle and so will she. Best of luck Sherry, and may you be blessed with more sucesses, and you achieve what Maleeha and Abida Hussain recieved in this poisiton.

For God please for the sake of our Federation please get with a pragmatic approach to appoint a sensible and prudent and visionary person but unfortunately we do not have that type of lot amongst in our foreign ministry but we can afford to post Madiha Lodhi but sorry for S.R. reserve our comments being a meagre public representative.

Dont know much abt Ms. SR but they should have chosen an Ex-Army General to hold this position. It is time we had a fair and square play with the US. We are sick and tired of Uncle Sam’s “Do More” policy..now we need some real man to take the charge..

Pakistan is trying to project a soft image internationally by appointing Khar and Sherry. But what Pakistan really needs to do is replace the COAS and DG-ISI with ladies. That is where the soft image is really needed because that is where the real damage is being done to Pakistan.

This means everyone can become Ambassador in Pakistan. I heard that you have to do CSS but here the story is different.
PTI should also add into their manifesto that President has no rights to select the senior post like Governors,Ambassadors & Government Institutions Chairman,Army chiefs.
They should come on merit and seniority wise.

She may be a good choice. But I personally do not want to be represented by her after I heard so many controversies around this personality! Perhaps, Hussain Haroon would have been a better choice, but that is my opinion. At some point in time, we would definitely need to get rid of corrupt characters from our political system, at least to avoid being represented through them. Nevertheless, good luck Pakistan!Recommend

sherry rehman was the best choice for us ambassadorship,she also criticized the american policies toward pakistan,she has much knoledge abut international affairs.there was some choices of some Generals and civilians for this high post,but can say, a gud choice of civilian govt.

@Muzaffar: Couldn’t agree more. Happy to see someone with a thinking like mine. I am unable to understand and may be will never get my answer that why anything is possible in our our country but only with elite and powerful…

I didn’t like her intially when she came into politics but her resignation changed my mind about her……..she stood for a principal…………she seems to be an effective communicator and a seasoned diplomat……..can’t say the same about Khar

One should not underestimate Gillanis acumen to normalize civil military relations. Sherry would be nothing but another Maleeha Lodhi, her last think tank report for Afghanistan is the exact Military perspective. Seems like GHQ really liked her report, she resigned on some Media controlling differences , not for restoration. Anyhow someone from the Parliament , a civilian much better then those retired generals.Recommend

A bold and gutsy decision. Congrats and best of luck. It also proves that both Pakistani civilian govt and USA are not going to encourage a military intervention. Army is supposed to fight the terrorists and civilians are to run the diplomacy. A sign of progress.

These jobs are to be handled by professional diplomats not journalists. The previous journalist-turned-ambassador has already messed up the matters beyond control. People at the top should have learned the lesson.

Sherry Rahman as new Pakistani Ambassador to USA & Hina Rabbani Khar as Foreign minister of Pakistan….. This will be one hell of a combination …Zardari shb please leave the diplomacy to diplomats … Zardari government is just a on a mission to destroy Pakistan Air Lines, Pakistan Steel, Pakistan Energy sector & now the foreign policy…. As a nation we are all about equal women rights and everything……. but Zardari shb please help the nation of Pakistan understand the selection criteria for these 2 key positions you gave to Hina Khan & Sherry Rahman?

Good choice. Though the fact Haqqani was forced to resign is a bit unfair to him. The worst part is that Army establishment created circumstances in which, perhaps, Haqqani had no choice. Kayani & Pasha do not come out good. They seem to be the ones who conspired against Haqqani.

Sherry Rehman is just another voice of Zardari. She may be a courageous woman and a strong legislator, however she will not be allowed to put the interest of Pakistan and her party on the forefront of her job. Rather, the policies will be dictated by Zardari and carried out by Rehman. Do not expect a change in US-Pak policy.

It is one of the best choices, I wonder on critics who make mind on pity matter like she is female or from PPP or close to Zardari or …… basically is she capable enough to handle this tough job? or not or is there any threat to country due to her appointment?

One of the very rare appointments by Zardari which would get overwhelming public approval. She would have one of the most difficult jobs in Washington. Therefore, I wonder if it is a reward or a trick to fix her. Recommend

@Mullah KaLullah:
yo taliban man – this is PAKISTAN! We are a liberal society not Saudi Arabia where women cant even drive. If she doesn’t want to wear a veil its her choice! Mullah my behind. You want veiled women, go to Saudi and get out of my country! We will never let you win.